This is page numbers 2743 - 2774 of the Hansard for the 19th Assembly, 2nd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was health.

Topics

Concerns with Health Centres
Member's Statements

Page 2746

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I believe I brought up health centre concerns numerous times in emails, in Assembly meetings, and on the floor of the House. Mind you, these were all serious concerns having to do with misdiagnosis of ailments which most times were serious in nature with patients medevaced out to Yellowknife or Edmonton, many concerns with misdiagnosis of ailments and patients receiving wrong medications or placebos to tide them over, many instances of unprofessional conduct and concerns with confidentiality and patient records. Not many people would know of these issues at health centres unless you are a patient or have relatives or friends who have been there for whatever medical reason.

Everything looks fine from the outside. But for most people that set foot in the health centre, it could be a traumatizing visit, not only to find out a serious medical condition but to find out there is no compassion. It's like, why are you here? This is unbelievable treatment of our people who have gone through so much racism not only in life but also in our healthcare systems and our communities.

Mr. Speaker, I have found through my personal experience visiting the health centre and hearing so many complaints that health ministers, health department heads, don't want to hear nor do anything to assist the communities in addressing their concerns and complaints. I have brought forward many times the need to do annual evaluations of health centres which would include evaluations of staff, evaluations of diagnostics and medications administered, the availability of programs and services, especially for diabetics.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier is in charge of running her ship. So I will have questions for the Premier at the appropriate time. Mahsi.

Concerns with Health Centres
Member's Statements

Page 2746

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Members' statements. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Impacts of COVID-19 and Emerging Wisely
Member's Statements

Page 2746

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in light of the news of the soon-to-be-released updated NWT's Emerging Wisely plan, I am hoping to see clear measures that we need to meet to reopen. For example, vaccination rates to be reached with an actual number to move into the next phase by a certain date, kind of like Alberta and BC just released. This may assist in those who are all for getting the vaccine but just have not made it a priority or some are feeling it's no rush as nothing much will change as nothing much has changed in the past 12 months. I would like a plan for residents to travel between each territory even with a vaccination verification which residents can carry their own record of proof.

As well, we've all mentioned that it's been a tough 14 months and there has been an increase of mental health issues and the need of increased support for those who may have never needed it before. There's also been an increase of alcohol use and I have recently seen an uptake in a report Canada's uptake in marijuana. Is it because it's legal and people are just getting more comfortable with it or is it because it's just a way to cope? Like I said, it's been a long 14 months, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we all know that during a public health emergency, as we heard it in this House before, that the Chief Public Health Officer is handed over the power. But, Mr. Speaker, it's up to the Minister as per the act to extend that power. As per the act, the Minister, on recommendation of the Chief Public Health Officer, may, by order, extend a declaration of a state of public health emergency of a period not exceeding 14 days if the Minister is satisfied that (a) a public health emergency continues to exist, (b) the extension is required to protect the public health.

Mr. Speaker, what information is the CPHO providing the Minister to continue to extend this public health emergency so that we in the Northwest Territories can also be aware of all the risks that still remain? I would like to be able to know so I, too, can understand, and I'm sure that the rest of the residents of the Northwest Territories, after 14 months, would like to know in plain language. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Impacts of COVID-19 and Emerging Wisely
Member's Statements

Page 2746

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.

Fort Simpson Flood Response
Member's Statements

Page 2747

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On Saturday May 8th, as I was sitting in my living room, we heard the siren that we did not want to hear. It was the siren to advise residents it was time to evacuate the island as the water level had reached the 15-meter mark. At this point in time, the community called a local state of emergency and kicked in the plan. As residents started leaving the island, the fire department and volunteers started going door to door to see who was going to leave and who was going to stay.

Mr. Speaker, we saw more than 400 residents pack up their necessities and move to the mainland. We were fortunate that the residents of the long-term care facility and home care were moved off the island earlier. The long-term care residents and four staff were evacuated to Norman Wells and home care residents were moved to a B&B on the mainland before the siren went. Some of the evacuees were flown to Fort Smith, almost 700 kilometers away, because alternative places in Hay River and Yellowknife were not available. These evacuees ended up staying at the town recreation centre and later moved to the college housing. The Town of Fort Smith was outstanding and did a great job hosting all the evacuees. I would like to thank them for opening their homes and being amazing hosts. A week later, we moved people to evacuate other people to Hay River and they got the same treatment. Others ended up staying at Tent City that the village set up, others camped at friends' and family's yards or stayed within their own homes. It was amazing to see how the community pulled together and helped each other.

On Sunday, the mayor and the EMO team had the EOC set up at the town garage. This is where the food, water, donations, and supplies were available for the people that remained. On Monday, the first load of donated food, water and supplies arrived. I witnessed volunteers and staff work to get these things organized and ready for residents. I have attached a list of volunteers, staff, and businesses to this statement which I would like to deem as read. I realize I may have missed some people and business and for that I apologize. All the help offered was greatly appreciated. Like the old saying goes, many hands make light work.

On Thursday, we felt the water was going down. Unfortunately, like Jean Marie River, it was short-lived as we seen the water raise to levels we had not see on Friday. It was worse than the 1963 flood. We saw at least 40 percent of the island under water. However, in saying this, the community was able to get through the flood and now we are in the recovery stage and this is where it's going to take some time. Residents have many questions and are looking to us for answers and support during this difficult time.

Mr. Speaker, I would be remise not to say thank you to all the tremendous outpouring of help, assistance, kindness, sacrifice that was shown to us from Northerners and Southerners alike during this difficult time. In a future statement, I am going to try and thank them.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the village leadership, their staff, volunteers, and the regional EMO team on the work they have done. You are all heroes in my book. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Fort Simpson Flood Response
Member's Statements

Page 2747

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Nahendeh. Members' statements. Recognition of visitors in the gallery. I would like to welcome those with us today from the media. It's good to have an audience for once.

Reports of committees on the review of bills. Reports of standing and special committees. Member for Thebatcha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its report on the review of the 2019-2020 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner and recommends to the House.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2019-2020 Annual Report of the Information Privacy Commissioner.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations has reviewed the 2019-2020 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. The committee normally reviews the Commissioner's report and then makes recommendations to the Legislative Assembly. This year's report contained no recommendations on the effectiveness on the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the committee's consideration.

The Committee thanks Mrs. Keenan-Bengts for her long service as Information and Privacy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories. Mrs. Keenan-Bengts served in this position from 1997 until 2020 and prepared the 2019-2020 annual report. The committee welcomes Mr. Andrew Fox, who was appointed on November 23rd, 2020, as the Information and Privacy Commissioner. Committee members look forward to working with Mr. Fox in his new role.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I move, second by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Committee Report 14-19(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2019-2020 Annual Report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner be received and adopted by this Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebatcha. Motions and order to the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? Motion is carried.

---Carried.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you. Reports of Standing and Special Committees. Member for Thebatcha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Government Operations is pleased to provide its report on the review of the 2020 report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly Early Childhood to Grade 12 Education and commends it to the House.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations report on the Review of the Auditor General's 2020 audit of early childhood to Grade 12 education in the Northwest Territories.

Introduction

The Auditor General of Canada is also the auditor for the Government of the Northwest Territories as set out in the federal Northwest Territories Act.

The AG is a statutory officer of the Legislative Assembly. This means their responsibilities are set out in legislation. The Office of the Auditor General operates independently from the Government of the Northwest Territories. The OAG conducts an annual performance audit of one of the government's departments, boards, or agencies. A performance audit looks at how well a department has met its own policies and legislation while delivering a particular program or service. These audits are paid for by the federal government and the subject is chosen by the OAG. This ensures the OAG's independence.

The Standing Committee on Government Operations reviews the reports of all statutory officers. When the committee reviews a compliance audit report, it holds a public hearing with representatives of the OAG who explain their audit findings. Representatives of the audited department also attend and explain their response to the audit. The committee's main focus is how the department has responded to the audit findings and how it intends to address problems identified in the audit report. The Speaker tables the report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly 2020.

Audit of the early childhood to Grade 12 education in the Northwest Territories, Department of Education, Culture and Employment on February 6th, 2020. Normally the committee tries to hold its review a soon as possible after the OAG's report is tabled; however, like many things, this review is delayed due to COVID-19.

The committee held its review remotely on November 6, 2020. This is the Committee's report on that review.

Acknowledgements

The acknowledgements for their appearance before the committee, Members thank Auditor General Karen Hogan, Principal Glen Wheeler and Director Maria Pooley, from the OAG. The committee also thanks Deputy Minister Rita Mueller, Assistant Deputy Ministers John MacDonald and Sam Shannon, and Director Katy Pollock from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment for their appearance before the Committee.

I will now turn the report over to MLA Bonnetrouge.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Member for Deh Cho.

Ronald Bonnetrouge

Ronald Bonnetrouge Deh Cho

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Background

Education system in the Northwest Territories

ECE is responsible for the Northwest Territories' education system from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 12. The system is made up of the department and 10 regional education bodies. These are similar to school boards.

The regional education bodies deliver services directly to students. The Education Act requires that NWT students have access to education programs that meet the highest possible standards and are based on the cultures of the Northwest Territories. Students may receive their education in any of the NWT's 11 official languages. The act also says that students have a right to access their education programs in a regular instructional setting in their home communities, and to receive the support services they need to do so.

Daycares are also licensed and supported by ECE, but are separate from the education system. High-quality early education programs delivered through daycares can help prepare children for success when they enter the school system.

About the Audit

The purpose of the audit was to find out whether, to improve student outcomes, ECE planned, supported and kept track of the delivery of fair, inclusive education programs and services that reflect Indigenous languages and cultures. The audit covered the period from April 1, 2015 to May 31, 2019.

The OAG looked at whether ECE met key responsibilities related to inclusive schooling, Indigenous languages, and culture-based education. They also looked at fair access to quality education, daycares, planning for and measuring the effectiveness of the education system, and putting in place key elements of the Education Renewal and Innovation Framework.

The audit looked at 10 years of departmental documents and data. The audit also tracked all students who enrolled in Grade 10, in a given year, to assess 3-year graduation rates.

During the regular audit process, the OAG works with management of the department under review. They get confirmation of management's responsibility for the subject being audited, an acknowledgement that they are using suitable criteria to do the assessment, confirmation that the department has provided all relevant information and that they agree the audit is factually accurate For each of the recommendations made by the OAG, the audit report also includes the department's response. Mr. Speaker, I now hand over to MLA Cleveland. Mahsi.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Member for Kam Lake.

Caitlin Cleveland

Caitlin Cleveland Kam Lake

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Audit Findings

The OAG found that ECE “took steps to plan, support, and monitor the delivery of equitable, inclusive education programs and services that reflected Indigenous languages and cultures, to support improved student outcomes. However, we concluded that these actions were insufficient for it to fully meet its commitments and obligations. Providing sufficient support in key areas, such as Indigenous language and culture-based education, and monitoring the outcomes of its education programs, is necessary to help ensure that students in the territory are being given the best chance for success.”.

The OAG made 9 recommendations as a result of this audit. ECE has agreed with all of them.

ECE Action Plan to Improve Student Outcomes

Independently of the audit, ECE evaluated the Education Renewal and Innovation Framework. They also identified recommendations for improvement. ECE drafted an Action Plan to Improve JK-12 Student Outcomes in the NWT from 2021/22 to 2023/24. This Action Plan responds to both the audit and the evaluation recommendations. There are 30 specific actions grouped under seven themes: Quality Early Learning and Child Care; Workforce Development and Capacity Building; Curriculum and Student Assessment; Student Supports; Training, Developing and Support for School Employees; Governance; and Monitoring and Evaluation.

The Action Plan identifies which recommendations from the OAG and evaluation framework are addressed by each theme. Mr. Speaker, I would like to pass it over to the MLA for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.

Lesa Semmler

Lesa Semmler Inuvik Twin Lakes

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Performance Measures

A key finding of the audit is that while ECE took steps to support student outcomes, the department did not know whether these efforts were improving student outcomes. ECE did not determine what was needed in small communities to improve access to education, and did not make enough of an effort to collect and use data to learn what changes might be needed to address the ongoing gaps in student outcomes.

Therefore, the Committee recommends,

Recommendation 1

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment develop performance measures for each area highlighted in the compliance audit and the corresponding ECE action plan to achieve specific outcomes, and to report annually on these measures.

Indigenous Languages

The use of Indigenous languages and the ability of residents to speak in the official languages of the NWT has declined over the last 30 years. The Committee hopes to see progress through the Our Languages curriculum, the pilot project for the Indigenous language revitalization, and the assessment tool to measure student use of Indigenous languages. While the Committee supports these initiatives, regular reporting is needed to be able to ensure progress is being made. Therefore, the committee recommends,

Recommendation 2

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment report annually on each action related to revitalizing official languages, including on the oral proficiency assessment tools, the Indigenous Language revitalization certification program and the mentor-apprentice program.

Members have also heard concerns that the division leading the work on Indigenous language revitalization does not list the ability to speak an Indigenous language as a priority. Therefore, the Committee recommends,

Recommendation 3

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment include Indigenous language proficiency when hiring positions in the Indigenous Languages and Education Secretariat. I will now hand it over to MLA for Yellowknife North. Thank you.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Member for Yellowknife North.

Rylund Johnson

Rylund Johnson Yellowknife North

Inclusive Schooling

In 2016, ECE issued a Ministerial Directive on Inclusive Schooling. Its vision: To ensure access to quality education for all students by effectively meeting their diverse needs in a way that is responsive, accepting, respectful and supportive.

A key principle is that learning is individualized, meaning “education programs and decisions focus on the individual student's strengths and needs, and are based on the student's best interests.” It also means that students have access to education programs, and supports, in their home community.

The audit found ECE's 2015 action plan ambitious, and that the department did not have a way to track progress on implementing the plan. There were not enough efforts to track whether schools were creating, monitoring and updating individualized learning plans. The monitoring that did take place did not allow ECE to know whether students with individualized learning plans were receiving the supports they needed, nor whether there were improved outcomes.

Recommendation 4

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment conduct greater oversight on inclusive schooling practices, including through spot checks on individualized learning plans, and report annually on the outcome-oriented performance measures.

Schools in Small Communities

The audit confirmed that students in small communities are less likely to graduate from high school. Department information shows that graduation rates in small communities is less than 40 percent for Indigenous students. The committee supports the Northern Distance Learning Program, but is concerned with the finding that even students with a normally good rate of attendance could miss up to 30 percent of classes due to differences in school calendars.

Schools in small communities face numerous challenges, with multi-grade classrooms, limited opportunities for professional development, higher costs and the need for greater supports for teachers and principals.

Therefore, the Committee recommends:

Recommendation 5

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Department of Education, Culture and Employment bring forward a plan to better support schools in small communities, to ensure students across the territory have an equitable learning experience. The Committee further recommends that the department work with the District Education Authorities to minimize the impacts of differing school calendars on Northern Distance Learning.

I will now hand it over to the chair, MLA Martselos.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Yellowknife North. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Conclusion

This concludes the Standing Committee on Government Operations report on the Review of the 2020 Report of the Auditor General of Canada to the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly Early Childhood to Grade 12 Education.

Recommendation 6

The Standing Committee on Government Operations recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to the recommendations contained in this report within 120 days.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Reports of Standing and Special Committees. Member for Thebacha.

Frieda Martselos

Frieda Martselos Thebacha

Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Committee Report 15-19(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the Auditor General's 2020 Audit of the Early Childhood to Grade 12 Education in the Northwest Territories, be received by the Assembly and moved into Committee of the Whole for further consideration. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker

The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.

Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Motions in order to the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Any abstentions? Motion is carried. The report will be moved into the Committee of the Whole.

---Carried.

Reports of Standing and Special Committees. Returns to oral questions. Acknowledgements. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.